COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 22, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- HCJB Global announced today that the 82-year-old ministry, founded in Quito, Ecuador, is changing its name to Reach Beyond. The new name and the release of the Reach Beyond Mission Manifesto are intended to encourage and challenge Christians worldwide to reach beyond their comfort zones and perceived limitations to share the love of Jesus in places where the gospel has seldom, if ever, been heard.

The mission is defined by the tagline, "The Voice and Hands of Jesus. Together." Through its "voice" ministries, the mission works with partners to use radio and modern media to make the gospel accessible in places where it typically isn't available.

The "hands" ministries of the mission provide much-needed healthcare service in places where even common medical help isn't readily available. Reach Beyond "hands" ministries takes many forms, including mobile community healthcare clinics, counseling centers in war-torn areas, clean water projects and general hygiene training, all with an emphasis on demonstrating the love of Jesus to recipients of the care.

Reach Beyond also values partnership with local Christians, churches and ministry partners as its core way of operating, signified by the word "together" in its tagline.

"For more than 80 years our missionaries and partners have boldly been going to places where people have never had the opportunity to experience the love of God," said Wayne Pederson, president and CEO of Reach Beyond. "But now is the time to accelerate and multiply those efforts. Through the use of modern media and healthcare, we work arm in arm with partners to show people that a relationship with Jesus Christ can change their lives forever."

The "Reach Beyond Manifesto" challenges believers to reach beyond borders and their own comfort level in an effort to accomplish the "great commission." It serves as a declaration for how the renamed Reach Beyond wants to invest its time and efforts in making Christ known to the ends of the earth. It's also a call -- and a challenge -- for other Christians to recommit themselves to the same effort.

"With all the technology, knowledge and experience available to us today, there is no reason why we can't make Christ known to everyone on the planet," said Pederson. "We hope the 'Reach Beyond Manifesto' causes all like-minded Christians to renew their commitment to demonstrate God's love as His 'voice' and 'hands.'"

Founded in 1931 as World Radio Missionary Fellowship Inc., Reach Beyond has focused on making disciples of Christ around the world. With ministries in more than 100 countries, Reach Beyond equips partners to air Christian content in more than 120 languages and dialects. The name change also reflects the ministry's ongoing international focus and commitment to reach areas where less than 2 percent of the population is Christian.

"Adaptability has always been a strength of the mission," said Curt Cole, executive vice president of international ministries. "When the best model was to own a large hospital or broadcast over shortwave radio, the mission leveraged those strengths. Today, technology and the world are changing, and we are adapting. That's why we place such a high premium on partnerships with local Christians. They know their own culture and needs far better than we do. If the need is for a small, community healthcare clinic or a local FM radio station, we're committed to equipping the people with all the resources they need to reach their own people in their own culture."

HCJB Global's "Beyond the Call" radio program, on more than 1,000 stations around the U.S., will now be called "Reach Beyond."

"The new name is much more than a brand change," Pederson said. "Reach Beyond is a reflection of our ministry DNA. It's about doing whatever is necessary to reach those who have never heard the name of Jesus. In essence, it's a call to Christians to reach beyond their comfort zones and challenges them to actively participate in making Christ known among the nations."

The organization hopes the "Reach Beyond Manifesto" will serve as a call to action for Christians to focus their attention and efforts on those areas of the world where Christ has yet to be proclaimed.

"We hear it every generation, but perhaps it's more true now than ever," Pederson said. "We are at a pivotal time in our history. We have the means and ability to spread the message of Jesus to everyone who is alive today. We can accomplish this by renewing our commitment and reorganizing our priorities. Reach Beyond wants to be on the forefront of this new gospel era and encourage others to join us in making Christ known in every country, city, village and community around the globe."

For 82 years the passion of Reach Beyond (formerly HCJB Global) (www.reachbeyond.org) has been to make disciples of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and partnership around the world, HCJB Global has ministries in more than 100 countries. The gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.

To schedule an interview with a key leader from HCJB Global, contact Ty Mays @ 770-256-8710 or [email protected].